“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
The Gratitude Dinner is a tradition at MAC, held every May to honour those involved in teaching ministries — including teachers and assistants. Their immediate family members are also welcome to attend by paying their own fee. This year’s dinner marked a historic turnout, with 320 attendees. It was a joyful time of sharing a meal with fellow coworkers in Christ, reflecting on the journey of serving together.
Within the church is a group of people who labour on the front lines of the kingdom — Sunday school teachers, youth mentors, and Chinese language instructors. Week after week, they prepare lessons, care for students, handle unexpected challenges, and patiently navigate emotional ups and downs. They carry the weight of shaping young hearts, guiding their spiritual growth and character development. At the recent dinner, a mentor from one of our church branches shared candidly that their team serves non-stop, week after week. They give and give — not only to the point of physical exhaustion but also spiritual depletion. It sometimes feels, quite literally, like they are “working themselves to death.”
We often say, “We do this for the Lord.” But in our quiet moments, a question may creep in: “Is what I’m doing really making a difference?”
Paul gives us a firm and hope-filled answer in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” These words aren’t merely comforting — they’re a powerful declaration rooted in the truth of Christ’s resurrection.
What is 1 Corinthians 15 really about? It’s about resurrection. If Christ had not been raised, then our faith is meaningless, and all our efforts would be in vain. But because Christ has indeed risen from the dead — the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep — He has broken the power of death, given us a living hope, and placed in us the power that surpasses death itself.
This resurrection power is not just the force that will one day raise the dead; it’s the very strength that sustains us today — right now — when we feel like we’ve hit the end of ourselves. Christ’s resurrection is not an abstract doctrine; it is a real, living power that lifts up servants who feel utterly drained.
The value of our ministry is not measured by visible results but by our faithfulness. God never asks us to be “successful”; He calls us to be faithful. What you’re doing today — even if your students forget, your coworkers overlook it, or the congregation doesn’t see it — God sees. He remembers every early morning you show up, every moment of perseverance when you’re weary, every tear that falls in prayer.
May we not rely on sheer willpower, but instead on the risen Lord who has conquered both death and fatigue. Let Him renew us daily with His resurrection power, so that even when we are worn out, we do not stumble. Even when we sow in tears, we continue to sow — in hope. Because one thing is certain: Your labour in the Lord is never in vain.
Rev. Chiu